Drilling hole without splitting underside?

Is there any way to drill a hole thru a finished cabinet, as in
installing handles, and not have the wood finish at the other end of the
hole (the exit point) become splintered or otherwise split when the bit
comes thru? FWIW, I'm using a variable speed drill.

Use a brad point or forstner bit and when the pilot breaks through,
finish drilling from the other side. The best method was already
mentioned. Clamp a piece of backing material to the piece you are drilling.

How well is masking tape going to hold when you're on the other side leaning
into the drill going through particle board?
Not much.
The "drill almost all the way through, and finish from the other side" works
with augers, spade bits and some large diameter brad points.
But for a teensy hole for a handle screw? You'd be lucky if you pulled it
off one time out of four.
1/8" forstner? You must be joking ;-)
With care, you can do this with _sharp_ brad points when the material
is simply held down flat (the firmer the better) sacrificial horizontal
surface. Like a piece of scrap plywood on a workbench. But don't push
too hard on the drill.
If you have to do this "in the air", clamp on scraps. Really.

--
Chris Lewis, Una confibula non set est
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.

Paul, i read the replies to this post and while they are good ideas they are
indeed overkill....i install kitchen/bath cabinets for a living, so drilling
for hardware is an everyday occurance...i never use a backer, or a bradpoint
bit, i never have to drill from both sides, and i don't have the backside "blow
out" in either real wood or laminated particleboard...secret? sharp bit and let
the tool do the work...don't force it, don't "lean" on it, just hold light
steady pressure and the bit will do its job quickly and neatly...
Chris Perdue

Thanks! I had brand new bits so it must have been my adding extra
pressure to the drill. I was able to repair the splintered areas with
wood filler that came with the cabinets. Can't tell it happened,
actually. Next time I'll let the drill do its work.

sharp bits used properly....no tearout
-------------------
Chris Perdue
"I'm ever so thankful for the Internet; it has allowed me to keep a finger in
the pie and to make some small contribution to those younger who will carry the
air-cooled legend forward"
Jim Mais
Feb. 2004

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